So What? They're Poor Anyway.
I have just read a disturbing article. Many extreme conservatives will disagree with my stance here. Nevertheless, these kinds of things frustrate me about the republican party. The article is entitled Senate Approves Cuts to Social Programs. This article describes how the Senate has recently voted 52-47 to cut funds allocated to the elderly for healthcare, to the poor, and to those who are disabled all in the name of wise spending.
I am not an advocate of programs that are solely designed at spoon feeding a particular branch of society. However, I do not deny that such treatment is necessary in order for the expected steps to take place. What I mean is this: I think that social programs should have the purpose of meeting the temporary need while empowering the individual to succeed in our society. I admit that I our social programs do not. Yet, when you take away funds from the temporary fix, the long-term solutions are taken away as well. I am outraged that there was even consideration to cut food stamps! There are many other areas to cut government spending (i.e. NASA).
For example, let's say there is a single mom who is going to school while providing for her two children. She works, pays for their daycare services, provides food and clothing for her children. Her goal is to get off of welfare, but she knows that it is welfare that is sustaining her at that time. To cut her fund allocation would be to set her back even more than she has already been, and that's absurd to me. I'm sorry. That's stupid to me.
Granted, there are others who are not so ambitious. But, I think that if social programs would give people a greater vision for opportunity and success, then the poverty rate would slowly decrease because people would be self-motivated to succeed. This decision by our elected officials just seems senseless to me. I am deeply hurt by the apparent lack of compassion. I really hope that the bill doesn't pass.
posted by William @ 3:15 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
William, I agree. It seems there is no way to avoid rewarding the lazy and punishing the ambitious. You cut benefits, you hurt people, you raise benefits, you hurt people. Figure out a way to solve that problem and you win the presidency by a landslide.
And I speak as one who has been on public assistance.
My mom was on public assistance and really could still be if she wanted to let the government solve all of her problems. My aunt still is and needs even more assistance than she has. It's defnitely a tough situation, I just don't think that cutting the existing benefits helps at all.
The value and quality of human life are evident in public policy. I personally think we spend way too much for space exploration and oil drilling. Instead we should be searching for affordable energy while taking care of the poor and empowering them to take care of themselves.
Per normal, good topic, William.
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I grew up poor, and my mom refused to even apply for assistance, let alone take it........My sister and I grew up poor, but my mom always made it work.
We lived in Dark Town, Arizona......Not a racial term, but a term of the plight of those who lived there. --> But we always had a roof, enough food to get by, and hope.
My mother busted her ass, even though my dirtbag sperm donor did nothing to make our lives better, and contributed nothing monetarily.
My mom also refused to go after my father for money......Their divorse decree stated he owed child support monthly, but he never paid. --> And she never went after it. She also never said anything about it to me or my sister. I found out the truth much later in life.
Through it all, we were an incredible tight knit group of three........A loving family, with laughter, and desires, but I don't remember longing for anything, even though we had nothing.
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Most of you know my deal (previous Air Force, now office manager for a Peds Practice)...My sister graduated from college and is an IT specialist. --> We both do very well. Not rich, but well.
My mother has continued to work her tail off. --> She was the first non-college graduate, female vice president ever for Bank One, and continues to amaze me.
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Back when I was a kid, my mom could have easily went on a variety of assistance programs.......And Heaven knows many of my relatives beat her up for not doing so.
That said, I wonder how the three of us would have ended up if we had taken that first sip from the government nipple? --> I highly doubt we'd all be where and what we are today.
The bill does a lot of good things, and sets a precedent:
Reduces the deficit,
makes balancing the budget a realistic possibility, and allows for oil drilling.
I understand that there are Americans who feel like they need a helping hand. But I believe in my heart that when the Government gives aid in the form of welfare or social security it is administering a narcotic, and more Americans are getting addicted to it. Social programs are hurting this country, personal responsibility diminishes when government takes over.
My heart aches for those who are in need, but I believe we can help them, by helping them take care of themselves. Americans need to understand that this isn't a welfare nation, it should be a responsible nation.
Your heart is in the right place, but good intentions isn't a guarantee.
Pero: I think it's a great story - the journey of your mom and the two of you. In fact, it does show that there are ways 'out of poverty.' Unfortunately, that is not the norm. My only hope is that we'd put programs in place that would grant social aid, but these programs would demand some type of education teaching people what options they really have.
Cabe: Yes, government aid to social programs can be a narcotic. But we all know that morphine is necessary to a point. There are those who would prefer to be sedated forever. That's upsetting. However, there are others who do not.
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